Rick Warren's Blog, page 548

Let Go of Your Need to Get Even

The heart of real forgiveness is relinquishing your right to get even. The Bible says in Romans 12:19, ���Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it��� (TLB).

Five Things Forgiveness Is Not

There���s a lot of faulty thinking about forgiveness. The act of forgiveness gets watered down. It gets abused. It gets cheapened.

What is forgiveness really? Take a quick test by answering ���true��� or ���false��� to the following statements:

Focusing on God���s Purpose Leaves Little Time for Envy

When you start to get concerned about something God is doing in another person���s life and envy starts to build, focus on the plan God has for your life. Don���t get distracted ��� center in on God���s will for your life.

When You Envy, You���re in a Battle with God

When it looks like God���s blessing somebody in a way that he���s not blessing you, relax and trust God. Believe that he knows what���s best for you, and trust him when life seems unfair.

Being Content is a Learning Process

Instead of focusing so much on what you don���t have and what didn���t happen, be grateful for what you do have. This doesn���t come naturally to me, probably not for you either, and not even for the apostle Paul, who said, ���I have learned to be content.��� Being content is a learning process.

How to Rejoice in God���s Goodness to Others

When we see God being kind and gracious to others, we can respond with joy rather than resentment.

Get to Know Others So You Won���t Envy Them

The key to overcoming envy is to stop comparing yourself to others.

Comparing is the root of all envy. And it was the first mistake made in the parable of the vineyard workers: The ones who were hired last ���came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more��� (Matthew 20:9-10 The Message). In other words, they started making comparisons: ���Look what they���re getting. So we���re going to get more. We deserve more.���

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief

Is it possible to be filled with faith and doubt at the same time? Yes! You can have faith that God wants you to do something and still be scared to death.

There Is No Condemnation for Your Mess-ups

God knows that failure is part of life. He doesn���t expect us to be perfect. He���s not surprised when we mess up. In fact, he sent Jesus to clean up our mess. He didn���t send him to point an accusing finger.

God Wants You to Really Live

Jesus did not come to make life perfect for us. Rather, he came to give us a life connected to him, so that no matter what situation we face, we are eternally attached to the source of true life.